Eczema or allergy??? rash all over body

Hi all, just looking for a bit of advice really. My little boy is 18 months old and a few weeks ago he was itching the back of his neck a lot (made it really red), then it went for a day or two but a week ago he developed a rash all over his front and his back, it is red, itchy for him and really rough/dry to the touch. I took him to the doctors on thursday who said it was eczema and gave me oilatum to put in his bath and aquous cream for afterwards. I have been using this since then but there is no difference atall, he is still red all over and itchy, its not really on his arms and legs except in the creases on the back of his legs. Basically I am wondering if it is really eczema as I switched to Fairy non-bio after using surf for months around the time he got the rash all over his body. I thought Fairy was specially for babies and young children! I have changed back to Surf yesterday to see if it helps. Has anyone elses LO had a reaction to Fairy or had something similar? Many thanks in advance and sorry for the essay!xx

it could be allergy id say try your old washing powder and see if it goes, but it could be eczema my 2 have i and it takes time to start seeing a differnt also were gone thru a number f creams till we find 1 that makes a diff

I had a similar problem, the doctor kept fobbing me off with Oilatum and other creams and it was just not budging. So I had to insist a number of times to see a specialist, eventually I did, she advised it was a type of Eczema, and advised that steroid cream can be used but only when it flares up. Now normally I'm apprehensive about these creams, however my LO only has it on the affected areas as and when he needs it and it does the trick. It's quite worrying as it happens so fast and from nowhere but it's worth getting a second opinion.

The rash may well be an connected to an allergic reaction to something
Try switching back to your original washing powder and see if that helps.
Is there anything else which your little one may be allergic too Heidi, a particular food for example?
It may be worth keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks, just to see if there is a link.

Could it be connected the the cold weather? Sometimes children (and adults) can develop cold weather rashes.

If the rash does not clear up, despite using the creams prescribed, then i would take your lo back to your GP, to be checked out again.
I have also shared a link with you on childhood rashes, which you may like to take a look at.Childhood rashes | Baby rash - Netmums

Thank you all for your comments. Think I will get a second opinion just to be on the safe side! Seems to have cleared a tiny bit this evening but not much! A food diary is a good idea, I will do this actually just in case it was something he ate! Many thanks again everyone just hope hes better soon xx